Occupational Therapist Website Cost in 2026: DIY vs Freelancer vs Managed
You're a solo OT, not a hospital system. Here's what a private-practice site actually costs in 2026 — and where the $59/mo managed option fits.
If you've started shopping for an occupational therapy practice website, the quotes don't line up. Squarespace says ~$20/month. A freelancer says $3,500. Brighter Vision–style niche vendors sit around $54–$129/month. SimplePractice's website add-on is another line item on top of the EHR you already need. A colleague says she built hers over a long weekend and it's "fine."
They're all describing real options — just not the same product. This post lays out the board for solo OTs (pediatric, hand therapy, sensory, telehealth) with typical 2026 numbers.
The short answer: a solo OT site runs about $16–$25/month DIY, $54–$129/month with a therapist-niche subscription, $2,000–$5,000 for a typical custom build, or $5,000–$15,000+ at an agency. East Lake Union Studio does design, build, hosting, and updates for $59/mo, month-to-month. Most solo practices are best served by a subscription or a modest custom build — not an agency.
1. DIY on Squarespace or Wix (~$16–$25/month)
Lowest dollar cost. Highest Sunday cost. Plan on 20–40 hours to get a site you're not embarrassed by: template, copy, photos, contact form, mobile menu. Some OTs enjoy this. If you're between evaluations and documentation, "I'll finish it next weekend" has a way of becoming next year.
DIY makes sense if you're pre-launch and cash-tight. It stops making sense the first time a parent asks about sensory vs feeding and your site doesn't answer.
2. Therapist-niche subscriptions (~$54–$129/month)
Vendors like Brighter Vision bundle therapist-specific templates, hosting, and support. For a solo practice that wants a professional site without managing a project, the model is genuinely good. Trade-offs to check: contract term, what happens to your site if you leave, and how customization works after setup.
3. SimplePractice (or Jane) website add-on
Convenient because it's next to your EHR — and that's also the catch. You're often paying $60+/mo on top of the practice management fee you already need. The site is rarely the product's center of gravity. Many OTs keep SimplePractice for scheduling/billing and put the public website elsewhere.
4. Custom freelancer build ($2,000–$5,000)
You get a design that's yours. You also inherit updates, hosting, and the risk that the fees page freezes when your rates change. Budget $300–$1,200/year for upkeep if you go this route.
5. Agency ($5,000–$15,000+)
Right-sized for group practices with multiple clinicians and locations. For a five-page solo OT site, you're usually paying for a process built for organizations.
Side by side
| Option | Upfront | Monthly | Who updates | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY | Your time | ~$16–$25 | You | Month-to-month |
| Niche subscription | $0–low | ~$54–$129 | Vendor | Varies — read the term |
| EHR website add-on | $0 | ~$60+ on top of EHR | You / limited | Tied to EHR |
| East Lake Union | $0 | $59 | We do | Month-to-month |
| Custom build | $2,000–$5,000 | $25–$100 upkeep | You or hourly | One-time |
| Agency | $5,000–$15,000+ | Retainer | Agency | Project + retainer |
About that East Lake Union row: we design, build, host, and update OT practice sites for $59/mo — same offer as our SLP niche. Everything (domain, content, design files) is yours if you leave. Details on /for-ots/.
What a solo OT site actually needs
- Home — who you help, how, where, clear contact path.
- Specialties — pediatric, sensory, feeding, hand therapy, telehealth — in parent/client language.
- Fees & insurance — panels, self-pay, sliding scale. Don't bury it.
- About & credentials — OTR/L, NBCOT, state license.
- Contact — short form, no PHI on the site.
Comparing quotes for your OT practice?
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